One Direction stars join mourners at Liam Payne’s funeral

By Ben Makori

AMERSHAM, England (Reuters) – The former members of boy band “One Direction” were among the mourners at the funeral of their band mate Liam Payne on Wednesday, just over a month after he died aged 31.

Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson joined Payne’s family and friends for the private church service in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, north west of London.

The father of one was found dead after he fell from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, triggering an outpouring of grief from fans around the world.

The singer’s coffin arrived at the church in a white carriage drawn by two white horses and adorned with floral tributes spelling the words “Son” and “Daddy”.

Payne and his former bandmates were catapulted to global fame in the 2010s after Simon Cowell brought them together on Britain’s X Factor talent show. The group went on to become one of the best selling boy bands of all time.

Cowell was photographed arriving at the funeral.

With their tousled hair and youthful charm, the band members became teen idols through hit singles like “What Makes You Beautiful”, “Live While We’re Young”, “Best Song Ever” and “Story of My Life.”

Payne’s former partner, singer Cheryl, with whom he had a son now aged seven, was also expected to be at the service, according to media reports.

Argentine authorities have charged three people in connection with Payne’s death after an autopsy revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system when he died.

(Reporting by Ben Makori, Writing by Muvija M and Paul Sandle; editing by Kate Holton)